This idiom urges someone to make a decisive choice between acting or stepping aside, often in a situation requiring commitment or action. It suggests either participating fully (‘fish’) or preparing for others to do so (‘cut bait’), but not lingering in indecision. The phrase is used in business, relationships, or teamwork contexts to demand clarity and responsibility, often with an impatient or commanding tone. It reflects a cultural emphasis on decisiveness and practicality, particularly in high-stakes or time-sensitive scenarios.

The phrase originated in 19th-century American fishing culture, where ‘cutting bait’ (preparing bait for fishing) was a preparatory task, and ‘fishing’ was the main action. An early use appears in an 1876 *Congressional Record*: ‘Fish or cut bait, but don’t dally.’ The idiom gained traction during the Gilded Age, reflecting America’s entrepreneurial spirit, as seen in Mark Twain’s journalism. Its use grew in the 20th century, particularly in political and business discourse, where decisiveness was valued. The phrase’s nautical imagery and directness ensured its spread in American English, later adopted in British and global contexts through media and literature.